drive him away.

So the time passed until the hay-harvest began. One day a little before
midsummer Thorbjorn Oxmain rode to Bjarg. He wore a helmet on his head,
a sword was girt at his side, and in his hand was a spear which had a
very broad blade. The weather was rainy; Atli had sent his men to mow
the hay, and some were in the North at Horn on some work. Atli was at
home with a few men only. Thorbjorn arrived alone towards midday and
rode up to the door. The door was shut and no one outside. Thorbjorn
knocked at the door and then went to the back of the house so that he
could not be seen from the door. The people in the house heard some one
knocking and one of the women went out. Thorbjorn got a glimpse of
the woman, but did not let himself be seen, for he was seeking another
person. She went back into the room and Atli asked her who had come.
She said she could see nobody outside. As they were speaking Thorbjorn
struck a violent blow on the door. Atli said:

"He wants to see me; perhaps he has some business with me, for he seems
very pressing."

Then he went to the outer door and saw nobody there. It was raining
hard, so he did not go outside, but stood holding both the door-posts
with his hands and peering round. At that moment Thorbjorn sidled round
to the front of the door and thrust his spear with both hands into
Atli's middle, so that it pierced him through. Atli said when he
received the thrust: "They use broad spear-blades nowadays."

Then he fell forward on the threshold. The women who were inside came
out and saw that he was dead. Thorbjorn had then mounted his horse; he
proclaimed the slaying and rode home. Asdis, the mistress of the house,
sent for men; Atli's body was laid out and he was buried beside his
father. There was much lamentation over his death, for he was both
wise and beloved. No blood-money was paid for his death, nor was any
demanded, for his representative was Grettir, if he should ever return
to Iceland. The matter rested there during the summer. Thorbjorn gained
little credit by this deed, but remained quietly at home.

CHAPTER XLVI. SENTENCE OF OUTLAWRY PASSED UPON GRETTIR AT THE ALL-THING

In that same summer before the assembly of the Thing there came a
ship out to Gasar bringing news of Grettir and of his house-burning
adventure. Thorir of Gard was very angry when he heard of it and
bethought himself of vengeance for his sons upon Grettir. Thorir rode
with a large retinu